Pompo

Clearing the air on medical marijuana
12/6/08|South Bend Tribune| Editorial



The Berrien County prosecutor is in a haze about Michigan's medical marijuana law.

Weeks after voters passed the referendum establishing the program, the state has failed to effectively communicate rules in place or to seek input on details that still must be worked out.

That's not the best start for an initiative few law enforcement officials have backed.

Sixty-three percent of Michigan voters on Nov. 4 made the state the 13th in nation, as well as the first in the Midwest, to legalize medical marijuana. The vote, of course, failed to end the measure's controversy.

Supporters promote the drug as a humane treatment option for the pain and nausea that cancer or chronic disease patients suffer.

Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette, who led an underfunded fight against it, argues Proposition 1 will make it easier for children and teenagers to obtain marijuana for recreational use.

And, he fears patients will be easy prey for those who can't legally obtain the weed, escalating crime and violence.

No research proves marijuana to be medically beneficial. Anecdotal evidence seems to show it relieves symptoms for some patients.

The only argument that counts now, though, concerns where and how patients will be allowed to legally smoke pot in Michigan.

The Medical Marijuana Law took effect Thursday, but the Michigan Department of Community Health has until April 4 to come up with the rules of operation.

The MDCH calls for county health departments to issue registration cards to qualified patients and caregivers and maintain the list.

The state says qualified patient must be certified in writing by physician as having a debilitating medical condition with symptoms which might be relieved by the drug.

Authorized caregivers can assist with no more than five patients' medical use of the drug.

Michigan's statute doesn't affect the federal ban, which makes marijuana possession illegal for any purpose. State officials concede though that federal marshals are too busy to pursue marijuana violations.

The new state law doesn't provide a legal means of acquiring weed or seeds; it does not allow dispensaries.

Nothing in Michigan's law condones driving or working under the influence of marijuana.

But many questions remain for local police and prosecutors, not the least of which are how patients and their caregivers will acquire the weed and where patients can smoke it.

The MDCH needs to invite local health and law enforcement representatives into the discussion. State and local officials should be clear on all the answers before the first patient lights up.

[News Admin. note : Having lived in the Chicago area, I've read countless editions of the Tribune publications. Their sports section was always one of my favorites It saddens me to say that the lack of research into marijuana's medicinal value by the Editorial staff responsible for the erroneous statement "No research proves marijuana to be medically beneficial. Anecdotal evidence seems to show it relieves symptoms for some patients." is somewhat disturbing and what I consider to be unprofessional. So for this, I extend to you, South Bend Tribune, this week's Prohibition Mouthpiece Award You would be wise to do your research in the future and avoid such embarrassments ]